Latest update: September 10, 2025
For almost ten years, 3XE Digital was the most important marketing conference in Ireland. It was the key event for anyone in the industry. Everyone attended, from local business owners to international experts, to focus on practical strategies for SEO, PPC, and conversion rate optimization.
The conference stood out for the knowledge shared and the opportunities to connect with others in the industry. Many participants found it valuable for both insights and networking.
In this article, we’ll look back at what set 3XE apart and explore alternative events for marketers seeking comparable opportunities.
What Is the 3XE Digital Conference Series?
The 3XE Digital Conference Series was Ireland’s leading set of marketing events, with a strong focus on search marketing, UX, and conversion optimization.
They had different events tailored to different needs:
- 3XE Search offered an in-depth look at SEO, paid ads (PPC), data analytics, and conversion tactics.
- 3XE UX & Conversion focused on the human side of things, showing how to improve user experience, customer journeys, and ultimately boost conversion rates.
Attendees departed with concrete techniques for increasing exposure and revenue and improving customer journeys, making 3XE one of the most regarded marketing conference series in the country.
What Attendees Said About the 3XE Experience?
The 3XE conference was widely commended by attendees and sponsors for providing outstanding value with its top-notch presenters, practical insights, and excellent networking opportunities.
Russell McAthy, CEO @ Cubed: “The audience super attentive and some great Q&A. Would recommend attending for all your Digital knowledge sharing!!”
Louise James, Account Director @ Microsoft: “The speakers & presentations were inspiring, empowering and truly compelling… a super valuable sponsorship.”
Jes Scholz, CMO @ Ringier AG: “A great group of people to network with and ample time to do so. That plus some of the best speakers in Dublin.”
Ian Booth, Freelance Digital Marketer: “Provided attendees with exceptionally up-to-date information.”
Aisling Blake, Director of Digital @ Core: “A great opportunity to make new connections… There is something for everyone!”
Christina Clarkin, The Marketing Lounge Ltd: “You come out buzzing with information and ideas to bring to your own company. I’d highly recommend this conference.”
Are 3XE Digital Conferences Still Taking Place?
What happened to 3XE Digital? It evolved. The conference is now called 3XE AI (on their new site, 3xe.ie). While it still brings together industry leaders, the entire event is now dedicated to artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Importantly, the new site also provides ticket details, pricing options, and updates on upcoming conferences, making it the best place to follow future editions of 3XE events. Marketers interested in attending can track announcements there to stay informed about the next opportunities.
How Did 3XE Digital Impact the Marketing Community?
3XE Digital had a meaningful and lasting impact on Ireland’s marketing community. Over its seven-year run, the conference became more than just an event. It served as a catalyst for professional growth and collaboration.
Education & Empowerment
The conferences focused on practical, real-world strategies. Instead of just theory, the workshops and sessions taught actionable steps to directly improve SEO, PPC, conversion rates, and analytics.
This gave marketers concrete skills they could use right away, making them more confident and effective at their jobs.
Networking & Collaboration
Even when space was tight, 3XE always made real networking happen. People didn’t just exchange business cards. They actually connected, and those conversations often led to true partnerships and real opportunities. In fact, many attendees said that meeting others was just as valuable as the conference sessions.
Thought Leadership
3XE Digital didn’t just host a conference; they put Irish marketing on the map. How? By bringing in the industry’s biggest names, real experts from giants like Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and SEMrush.
These thought leaders shared cutting-edge knowledge, global trends, and future forecasts straight from the source. This wasn’t just theory; it raised the bar for the entire Irish marketing community. It created a more dynamic professional scene and inspired local marketers to aim higher and think globally.
Case Study Influence
Seeing real success stories from brands like Littlewoods, Just Eat, and Bord Bia made everything make sense. They provided the hard evidence that digital strategies drive growth. This practical insight immediately inspired attendees to bring those tactics home, fundamentally shifting how Irish businesses approach marketing.
What Are the Alternatives to the 3XE Digital Conference?
With 3XE no longer running in Ireland, professionals can look to international events for similar value. Global conferences in digital marketing and tech offer strong learning and networking opportunities, though most involve traveling abroad.
Social Media Marketing World
If you’re serious about marketing, you need to know about Social Media Marketing World. It’s one of the biggest global conferences for professionals like you, focused entirely on what works now.
This is where specialists, directors, and business owners come to cut through the noise. The focus is on four key areas that actually drive growth: leveraging AI, building solid strategies, mastering organic social, and nailing paid ads.
Key Focus Areas:
- AI and Marketing: Applying AI in campaigns and content.
- Marketing Strategy: Building long-term, effective plans.
- Organic Social: Training on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
- Paid Social: Optimizing ads across major platforms.
Adobe Summit
The Adobe Summit is the world’s top conference for customer experience experts. Adobe presents this event, which brings together executives and marketers to hear about the most recent AI-powered business solutions.
Participants gain insights through keynotes, seminars, and demos of Adobe Experience Cloud tools like Firefly, GenStudio, AI agents, and analytics, along with case studies from Adobe leaders and major firms such as Eli Lilly and JPMorgan Chase.
The core curriculum focuses on five transformative themes:
- Using Agentic and Generative AI to improve creativity and efficiency.
- Scaling content supply chains with AI.
- Developing modern strategies for B2B growth.
- Enhancing customer engagement with data and AI.
- Improving digital workflows for enterprise teams.
DigiMarCon America
DigiMarCon is a top-tier global conference for digital marketing, media, and advertising pros. It’s where industry innovators and leaders connect to explore the latest in AI, automation, content, social media, and data-driven strategies.
What you’ll get:
- Takeaways from keynotes led by experts.
- Networking with organizations and leaders throughout the world.
- An initial look at emerging trends and technology in marketing.
- Practical case studies using tried-and-true tactics.
Designed for marketers and agencies, DigiMarCon gives you the tools and connections to stay ahead in a fast-changing digital world.
London Tech Week
London Tech Week is a major event on the European tech calendar, drawing crowds of over 45,000 professionals. You’ll find everyone from startups and global companies to investors and policymakers, all there to make connections and drive the industry forward.
The schedule is filled with expo halls, speaker sessions, and side events, with a strong focus on areas like AI and digital transformation. It’s a practical environment where founders, executives, and investors come together to network, strike deals, and exchange ideas.
From pitch sessions and investor talks to policy announcements, real business gets done here. If you’re involved in tech in Europe, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
Viva Technology
VivaTech is a major European tech and innovation event. It connects global business leaders, startups, and investors. The event focuses on showcasing new developments in areas like AI, digital transformation, and health tech.
It attracts a large audience of tens of thousands, including global brands and startups. The purpose is to share ideas, launch products, and form new business partnerships.
The event provides different values for each group:
- Attendees learn trends and connect with experts.
- Startups find investors and gain exposure.
- Exhibitors showcase products to wide audiences.
- Investors discover new companies to fund.
- Media access to breaking news and industry leaders.
In essence, VivaTech is an important conference for networking, seeing new technologies, and doing business, making it a key event for professionals in the tech industry.
